• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2021

Soybean extract is known to play an important role in preventing and treating diseases associated with aging, cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. A recent has revealed that soybean extract has a potent effect on hair growth in in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Recently, it has been reported that their fermented extracts exhibit numerous and high efficacy, as compared to general extracts. However, the underlying mechanisms that induce hair growth after using fermented soybean extract are not well understood. The present study aimed to determine the effects of fermented Jeju soybean (FJS) extract on hair growth, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms similar to those of minoxidil. We conducted in vitro and ex vivo investigations and clinical studies. FJS extract enhanced dermal papilla cell proliferation, VEGF levels, and potassium channel opening. Moreover, it promoted human hair follicle elongation. These effects were comprehensively demonstrated in the clinical results, in which FJS extract-containing shampoo improved hair density after 24 weeks of utilization. Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate that FJS extract promotes hair growth and inhibits hair loss through a mechanism similar to that of minoxidil in hair follicles.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2008

Twenty-eight of 44 Indian Ceropegia species are endemic and their survival is threatened. As a step towards conservation, we implied in vitro methods for the sustainable propagule production in C. hirsuta, C. lawii, C. maccannii, C. oculata and C. sahyadrica. Effects of explant, growth regulators, sucrose and photoperiod were studied. High frequency microtuber production was achieved with the seedling-apical buds, grown on MS medium containing 4-6 mg $1^{-1}$ BAP, 3-8% (w/v) sucrose, under continuous illumination. Each microtuber, when subcultured proliferated to form a cluster of secondary microtubers. Every primary and secondary microtuber bore at least one shoot-bud and a root primordium. Each tuber (formed with any of the significantly effective treatments) weighed more than 500 mg, enough to plant directly in non-sterilized soils. Microtubers could be produced and proliferated round the year. Proliferation could be solely attributed to in vitro procedures as these plants bear solitary tubers in vivo. Microtubers could be sprouted in vitro to prepare ready to pot plantlets. As, this novel method succeeded for all five species, though they belong to different eco-physiological backgrounds, we recommend its implementation in the conservation programs for a broader range of Ceropegia species, supported by other integrated strategies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.497-509
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• 2006

Until recently, the tuberculin skin test (TST) has been the only tool available for diagnosing a latent TB infection. However, the development of new diagnostic tools, using the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific early secreted antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10) antigens, should improve the control of tuberculosis (TB) by allowing a more accurate identification of a latent TB infection (LTBI). Antigen-specific interferon-gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) assays have greater specificity in BCG-vaccinated individuals, and as less biased by nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Many comparative studies have suggested that those assays have a higher specificity than the TST, and the sensitivity of these assays are expected to remarkably improved if more MTB-specific antigens can become available. Nevertheless, the major obstacle to the widespread use of these tests is the limited financial resources. Similar to other diagnostic tests, the predictive value of $IFN-{\gamma}$ assays depends on the prevalence of a MTB infection in the population being tested. Therefore, prospective studies will be meeded to establish the applicability of these new assays at multiple geographic locations among patients of different ethnicities, and to determine if the $IFN-{\gamma}$ responses can indicate those with a high risk of progressing to active TB.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2015

Our previous study demonstrated that yuzu has an anti-platelet effect in rat blood. In the present study, we examined whether the anti-platelet effect of yuzu can be extended to human blood by investigating its ability to inhibit aggregations induced by various agonists in human platelet rich plasma (PRP). This study also investigated the underlying mechanism of yuzu focusing on ADP granule secretion, $TXB_2$ formations, and $PLC{\gamma}$/Akt signaling. The results from this study showed that ethanolic yuzu extract (YE), and its components, hesperidin and naringin, inhibited human platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. YE, hesperidin and naringin also inhibited $TXB_2$ formation and ADP release. The phosphorylation of $PLC{\gamma}$ and Akt was significantly inhibited by YE, heperidin and naringin. Furthermore, we demonstrated that YE, heperidin and naringin has anti-platelet effects in rat ex vivo studies, and lower side effects in mice tail bleeding time studies. The results from this study suggest that YE, hesperidin and naringin can inhibit human platelet aggregation, at least partly through the inhibition of $PLC{\gamma}$ and Akt, leading to a decrease in $TXB_2$ formation and granule secretion.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2003

The measurement of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of human plasma has been widely applied in nutritional science, for example to evaluate the antioxidant contribution of dietary components and to study, although indirectly, the bioavailability of dietary antioxidants. Several methods have been proposed for the measurement of TAC, most of them based on the ability of plasma to withstand the oxidative damage induced by aqueous radicals. Although plasma contains both hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants that interact through extensive cross-talk in most of the methods employed for the TAC measurement, the hydrophilic antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, and protein thiols mainly contribute to the total antioxidant plasma capacity (almost 70%) while lipophilic antioxidants embedded in the lipoproteins (carotenoids, a-tocopherol, ubiquino1-10) participate only in a negligible amount (less than 5%). The present paper reviews the analytical methods used to assess the TAC and in particular focuses on new approaches that are capable of distinguishing the antioxidant capacity of both the aqueous and lipid compartments of plasma. The general principle of the method as well as some in vitro and ex vivo applications will be discussed within the text.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.191-196
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• 2016

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key mediator of angiogenesis and critical for normal embryonic development and repair of pathophysiological conditions in adults. Although phospholipase D (PLD) activity has been implicated in angiogenic processes, its role in VEGF signaling during angiogenesis in mammals is unclear. Here, we found that silencing of PLD2 by siRNA blocked VEGF-mediated signaling in immortalized human umbilical vein endothelial cells (iHUVECs). Also, VEGF-induced endothelial cell survival, proliferation, migration, and tube formation were inhibited by PLD2 silencing. Furthermore, while Pld2-knockout mice exhibited normal development, loss of PLD2 inhibited VEGF-mediated ex vivo angiogenesis. These findings suggest that PLD2 functions as a key mediator in the VEGF-mediated angiogenic functions of endothelial cells.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2020

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that play an essential role in preventing cancer development by performing immune surveillance to eradicate abnormal cells. Since ex vivo expanded NK cells have cytotoxic activity against various cancers, including breast cancers, their clinical potential as immune-oncogenic therapeutics has been widely investigated. Here, we report that the pyrazole chemical XRP44X, an inhibitor of Ras/ERK activation of ELK3, stimulates NK-92MI cells to enhance cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cells. Under XRP44X stimulation, NK cells did not show notable apoptosis or impaired cell cycle progression. We demonstrated that XRP44X enhanced interferon gamma expression in NK-92MI cells. We also elucidated that potentiation of the cytotoxic activity of NK-92MI cells by XRP44X is induced by activation of the c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. Our data provide insight into the evaluation of XRP44X as an immune stimulant and that XRP44X is a potential candidate compound for the therapeutic development of NK cells.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.373-379
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• 2013

The consumption of fruits and vegetables that have high polyphenol content has been previously associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. We investigated the effects of onion peel extract on plasma total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and leukocyte DNA damage. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Healthy female subjects received either onion peel extract or placebo (dextrin) for two weeks, underwent a 1-week washout period, and then received the other treatment for an additional two weeks. After two weeks of onion peel extract supplementation, the total cholesterol level, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and atherogenic index significantly decreased (P < 0.05). No changes were observed in activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes or levels of lipid peroxidation markers following onion peel extract supplementation. Additionally, no significant difference was found in plasma antioxidant vitamin (retinol, tocopherols, carotenoids, and coenzyme Q10) levels or ex vivo $H_2O_2$-provoked oxidative DNA damage after onion peel extract supplementation. The present interventional study provides evidence of the health benefits of onion peel extract and demonstrates its effects in modulating lipid profiles in healthy young Korean women.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2010

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer death in the United States and worldwide. About 80~90% of cases are smoking-related and smoking cessation programs are of great importance in reducing lung cancer risk. However, the lifetime risk for lung cancer remains elevated even in ex-smokers. Chemoprevention holds the promise to further reduce this risk and thus to decrease lung cancer incidence and mortality. Over the last decades, most chemoprevention trials for lung cancer have yielded negative outcomes. Population-based studies suggest that high intake of certain foods such as soy, red wine or green vegetables may be associated with decreased cancer risk. Because of these observations and their general safety, a plethora of natural compounds is currently being studied for the chemoprevention of cancer. In this review we discuss promising in vitro and in vivo data of novel natural compounds, their interference with molecular mechanisms responsible for lung cancer development and potential implications for their further preclinical and clinical investigation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.265-272
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• 2009

Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) began to be utilized as a vehicle for ex vivo gene therapy based on their plasticity. Effective and safe transfection of therapeutic genes is a critical step for genetic modification of MSCs. Therefore, optimization of in vitro gene delivery into MSCs is essential to provide genetically modified stem cells. In this study, various cationic liposomes, O,O'-dimyristyl-N-lysyl aspartate (DMKD), DMKD/cholesterol, O,O'-dimyristyl-N-lysyl glutamate (DMKE), DMKE/cholesterol, and N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium propane methyl sulfate (DOTAP)/cholesterol, were mixed with plasmid DNA encoding luciferase (pAAV-CMV-Luc) at varied ratios, and then used for transfection to MSCs under varied conditions. The MSCs were also transfected by electroporation under varied conditions, such as voltage, pulse length, and pulse interval. According to the experimental results, electroporation-mediated transfection was more efficient than cationic liposome-mediated transfection. The best MSC transfection was induced by electroporation 3 times pulses for 2 ms at 200 V with 10 seconds of a pulse interval.